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Working with Qiao Qiao and the ZHIWU Design Company – Part II

T

o be honest we expected great things when we started working with Qiao Qiao and the ZHIWU design company. They managed to baffle us anyway.

ZHIWU is a design company, focusing on the optimized integration of creativity during the flat-knitting process and meeting the markets demands. During that, one variable to elevate creative thinking is the yarn. Using different yarns enables them to explore almost endless possibilities in knitted textures and garments. 

Technology – Naturetexx Plasma

Naturetexx Plasma is a treatment applied to wool to prevent shrinkage during washing. Südwolle Group has applied its know-how and environmental commitment to ten years of research into this technology to be able to achieve machine washability without the usage of chlorine and instead relying on electricity and air. 

Plasma naturally occurs during lightning strikes, and is used widely, for example, in fluorescent light bulbs and flat screen TVs. During the process, a plasma field is created by discharging an electric voltage between electrodes in a controlled and consistent manner. As the energy is discharged, the air between the electrodes is ionized – forming plasma. 

Logo with a blue background highlighting a stylized ginkgo leaf design. The text nature texx appears in lowercase, white and blue respectively, while plasma is in lowercase at the bottom in white. Subtle wool-like textures enrich the design, all encased in a rounded square shape.

When the Merino wool passes through the plasma field, the surface of the fibre reacts with the plasma and the cuticle scales are modified. The modified fibre no longer felts during washing, while still retaining the natural properties of Merino. 

An electron microscope image compares yarn fibers: untreated wool fibers display a scaly surface, Merino wool treated with Naturetexx Plasma is smoother, and chlorine-treated fibers show distinct alterations with visible surface changes.
Yarn selection – Genziana Nm 30/2

Because of its anti-shrinkage function, Genziana Nm 30/2 can be widely used in home and daily wear, allowing consumers to obtain higher quality wool garments.

The Merino Poncho retains the warmth and is more comfortable to wear, which enables the yarn to be used in fashion, sports and outdoor clothing.

Genziana Nm 30/2

  • 100% Merino wool Extrafine 19.5µ
  • Naturetexx Plasma treated
  • No Chlorine
  • Easy care Merino
  • Natural and biodegradable
  • Bluesign® and GOTS certified
  • High comformt
  • Enables fine texture knitting
  • Good moisture management
  • Good pilling performance
  • Good knitting efficiency
A spool of beige Merino yarn is placed on a rough stone surface. The background is softly blurred, showing a hint of tranquil blue, possibly water. The wool is wound neatly around the cone.
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Wieseneckstr. 26
90571 Schwaig
Metropolitan Area Nuremberg
Germany

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